Whether you watch mixed martial arts on television pay per view, or you are learning some mixed martial arts techniques like Brazilian jiu jitsu in NYC or another city, you may have heard about the different disciplines involved in mixed martial arts. In particular, you may have heard of not just Brazilian jiu jitsu but krav maga, another popular martial art. So what are the differences between the two disciplines? Here are some tips to understand how the two differ:

The Differences between the Two are like the Differences between Two People

One krav maga expert, at your-krav-maga-expert.com, describes the differences between the two disciplines this way: “You may look at two individuals and say, ‘What is the difference between them? They both have two legs, two arms, 10 fingers and 10 toes, two eyes and a nose etc. so why do you say they are different?’” Good point! As we all know, people are very different, not just how they look, but how the act. He goes on to say that people “are different in how they use those limbs; they are different in how they see things. In order to understand the difference you must see them in action. Seeing a photograph will not give you the answer.”

Differences Between Krav Maga And Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Well, we cannot really show you the difference in action here, but we will try to paint a written picture for you on the difference between krav maga and Brazilian jiu jitsu:

According to Krav Maga New Orleans,  “Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is defined as a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. “ The idea behind Brazilian ju jitsu  is that size does not matter, to use a popular phrase. Instead, with Brazilian jiu jitsu in NYC or elsewhere, a smaller person can actually fight and win against a stronger, bigger opponent by using the techniques, such as leverage, joint locks, chokeholds. Much of the Brazilian jiu jitsu fighting is on the ground, although there are also striking techniques involved.

The Krav Maga site notes that with jiu jitsu in New York and other cities, that “a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system.”

Differences Between Krav Maga And Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Krav maga differs from Brazilian jiu jitsu

However, krav maga is different. Krav Maga New Orleans notes that “krav maga promotes finishing a fight as quickly as possible” and “attacks are aimed at the most vulnerable parts of the body, and training is not limited to techniques that cause severe injury.” When krav maga is taught, there are safety techniques taught to make sure all are safe in the classes, but make no mistake; these are strong fights involved.

In addition, students, learn how to fight back against a variety of attacks in “the quickest and most efficient way,” which involves “maintaining awareness of surroundings while dealing with the threat in order to look for escape routes, further attackers, objects that could be used to defend or help attack and so on.”

In summary, Brazilian jiu jitsu is more of a sport, while krav maga is more of a self-defense technique. To learn more about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in NYC, visit Ronin Athletics.

Lisa Swan writes for a variety of blogs and sites. She lives in New York City.